Method and means for permanent waving hair



June 10, 1958 H. vZIMMERMAN 2,838,053

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PERMANENT WAVING HAIR vFiled Feb. 17, 1955 METHOD AND MEANS FoR PERMANENT WAVING HAIR Herbert Zimmerman, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 17, 1955, Serial No. 488,744

12 Claims. (Cl. 132-7) My invention relates generally to the art of permanent waving hair and more particularly to processes known generally in the art as cold-waving.

In the production of so-called permanent waves by cold Vwaving processes, strands or tresses of hair are wrapped around individual tubes or bars, usually referred to as rods, and various treating solutions are then consecutively applied to the hair to effect the desired changes in its. structure, resulting ultimately in waves or curls after the hair is set.

ln processes of this type one of the biggest problems has; always been to get just the right amount of treating solution to all parts of the hair without having any excess fluid'contact the scalp of the person being treated, since many of the solutions are irritating or injurious to the scalp.

lt is a major object of my invention to provide a method of permanent waving hair and a novel means foruse inthatV process which permits the direct application to the hair of the requisite amounts of treating solutionswithout danger 'of said solutions injuring the scalp of the person being treated..

Another object and distinct advantageof my invention isl that'adequate treating solution is readily applied to the endsof the hair to efectively treat the same, thereby avoiding the unsightly hair-ends often obtained with conventional processes. A

A further object of my invention is to provide a process and apparatus of the character described whichL promotes the economical use of the treating solutions and prevents f needless waste thereof.

It is well recognized in the art of permanent waving that'it is first necessary to change the structure ofthe hairby softening it and converting it from a circular cross-section to a relatively flat crosssection, so that the hair will retaina wave after it has been dried and combed out, and it is an irnportantobject of my invention to provide means for accomplishing this change of hair structure in a safe and satisfactory manner with a minimum of inconvenience to the person involved.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a novel rod for permanent waving which includes an absorbent core adapted to soak up any excess lluid from the hair and to promote thorough wetting of all parts .of the hair with the uid always under the control ofthe operator. Y

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms thereof and from the accompanying drawing illustrating those forms, in which:

Figure l is an exploded perspective view of a permanent waving rod made according to my invention showing the absorbent core ready for insertion into the.

rod; t t

2 Figure 4 is a side elevational partially sectioned view of a modified form of rod; and

Figure S is a cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of.

, appearance. The hollow rod 10 is provided with a plurality of apertures which in the form shown in Figure l take theshape of longitudinal slots 11 in the wall of the rod whereby readyv access is had between the interior and the exterior of the rod substantially throughout its length. An essential feature of the new rod 10 is its llexibility, which is derived from the slotted structure and the inherent resilience of the material from which the rod is made. Desirably, the rod 10 is made from an inert plastic material such as cellulose acetate butyrate. Many other related materials which are inert to waving solutions may be employed.

lThe ilexibility of the rod '10 is an important charac--V teristic because it allows the rod to yield when hair is wound tightly around it. The two great problems in cold waving are to control the amount of tension applied to the hair during winding, and to achieve proper distribution of the amount of liquid lotion. It is essential for the purposes of this invention that the transverse yielding of the Hexible rod take place if the hair is wound around the rod too tightly. For, if the tresses of hair are wound too tightly around a rigid rod, they are subjected to great stress which tends to elongate, stretch and deform the individual strands of hair. The flexibility and resilience of the rod 10 alleviates the danger'4 of improper winding by its yielding action, since it flexes under excessive tension and assures a substantially uniform and desirableI degree'of tension.

The second problem, that of proper distribution of the liquid on the hair, is controlledby the presence of" an absorbent filler 13 within the rod 10. Excess liquid is readily taken up by the filler 13, penetrating through the rod 10 at the apertures or slots 11.

An absorbent filler 13, preferably of cylindrical shape, is provided with a cross-section approximately that of the inside of the central portion of the rod 10 and approximately thelength of said rod so that the ller 13 will t snugly in the rod and be normally held therein, but will be readily removable after use. The filler or insert 13 may be of any highly absorbent material, suchV as cellucotton, cloth of appropriate mesh and texture, sponge or the like which will readily absorb and retain the fluids used in treating the hair.

Suitable means is provided for holding the hair on' the rod, one convenient holding means being in the form of a cord as illustrated in Figure l and designated by the nut meral 14 which is secured to one end of the rod 10 and y Figurel 2 is an end elevation of the rod shown in Figure l;

is provided with a knob or other protuberance 15 on the other end. One end of the rod 10 is provided with notches 16 to receive the cord 14 and the knot 15 on the end thereof to thereby hold a roll of hair in place on the rod.

' and the solid portions 22 of the rod between the apertures `form a lattice-work whereby to give maximum areas for the passage of liquid from voutside to inside of the rod 20.

. 14 having a knob 15 on the end thereof adapted to be 1 inserted in slots 26 in one end of the rod,

l i Patented Jnell), 1958 In the operation of'my methodand device the tresses of hairiare wound around the tubular bars containing-absorbent flllers 13 therein andthe hair is secured in place by operation of the holders 14. When the requisite number-oftresses have beenwound; ready'for treatment, the cold-waving solution is applied-to the exterior of each roll of hair until: all portions of the hair including those closely adjacent the scalp and the hair ends are thor-Y oughlysaturated with the solution. Any excess of the solution is absorbed by the fil-ler 13 in the rodsY 10 and and thereby prevented from contacting the scalp. Also, as the llers 135 become themselves saturated, they tendA to promote interchange of lluid through the apertures V11- or 21A whereby to insure thorough wetting ofthe hair endsV on the rods 10 and 20 respectively. By keeping a close watch of the: moisture content of the filler pads 13 the operator can judge with a high degree of certainty the wetting progress of the hair and caniaccordingly better regulate the amount oflluid applied to the hair.

Afterthe treating fluid has been on the hair the required time to effect the proper structural changes to permit the waving thereof, the hair is subjected to such neutralizers and rinses asV may be required with the particular type'of permanent waving solution employed. Here again the usev of the rods 10 andl20 of my invention is a distinct aid in reducing and controlling the amount of liquid used and lowering the total time ofA treatment required.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a' novel system of hair waving and a new and useful hair retaining v-rod whereby the amount of fluid used in the wavingoperation can be closely controlled `and the hair conditioningsteps carried out without injury or annoyance to the subject. It will be understood of course that the specific forms ofmy invention herein shown are merely illustrative of the principles thereof and are not to be taken asI limitations except as set forth in the appended claims.

Ilclaim:

1l. A device` off the character described for use in permanentY waving hairY which includes a uniformly apertured shell upon which tresses of hair can be wound, the walls of said apertured shell having a relatively high percentagev of'opening along its length so asto flex uniformly inwardly as, thesaid tresses of hair are wound tightly therearound and absorbent means within said shell for absorbing excess uid applied to theY hair.

2. A device of the character described for use inA permanent waving hair which includes a transversely yieldable apertured' tubularrod having a reversed taper and adapted to have strands of hair wound thereon, said rod yielding inwardly as the said strands of hair are wound thereonhol'ding means mounted on said rod and adapted to engage the same to hold thehair thereon, and at removable-absorbent filler inserted in said rod to absorb fluid' applied to said hair which is not absorbed by said hair.

3. A permanent waving rod comprising a uniformly circumferentially yieldable tubular shell shaped to have strands of 'hair wound thereon and provided with a plurality of substantially uniformly spaced longitudinal slots inthe wall thereof, said shell yielding uniformly inwardly asthe said strands ofhair are wound tightly thereon; a body. of absorbent material disposed within said rod' adjacentf'said apertures whereby to absorb fluid applied to saidhairand passing to said rod; and means on said rod for attaching the` hair thereto to hold the same under predetermined tension during theY `application of said fluid.

4; A permanent waving rod comprising a transversely yieldable. tubular shell shaped to have strands of hair wound thereon and provided with a plurality of diamondshaped' aperturesin the wall thereof, said apertures comprising arelativelyhigh percentage of total wall area; a bodyy=of1 absorbent material disposed within said rod adjacent said apertures whereby toY absorb fluid appliedV to said hair'and'passing to said rod; and meansv on saidrodfor attaching the hair thereto to hold the same under predetermined tension during'the application ofsaid fluid.

5. A method of permanently waving hair, which comprises: winding a plurality oftresses of hair around a hollow tube yieldable in acccordance with pressure applied thereabout, said hollow tube containing an initially dry absorbent ller therein; winding said tresses around said yieldable tube thereby maintaining said tresses under resilientlpredetermined tension; applying a hair-conditioning solution to said tresses; and absorbing any excess of said applied hair-conditioning solution by means of said absorbent filler contained' within said tube.

' 6. A hairrwaving device which includes: a llrstendV support; at least three spaced longitudinal strips each having one of its ends affixedv along the periphery of said end support; and a second end support peripherally affixed to the other ends of said strips, said strips being related so as to form longitudinal slots therebetween along substantially the entire length of the said hair waving device, and a removable absorbent filler inserted within said strips to. absorb fluid applied to hair which is not absorbed by the hair.

7. A hair waving device, Whichincludes-z a firstl end support; at least three spaced longitudinal stripsl each having one ofY its ends affixed to said, end support; and a second end support allixed to theY other ends of said strips, said strips being so related as to form longitudinal slots therebetween along substantially the entire length of the said hair waving device, saidstrips flexing inwardly as pressure is applied thereon; and a removable absorbent filler in serted within said strips to absorb fluid applied to hair which is not absorbed by said hair.

8. A h-air waving device which comprises: a hollow reverse tapered rodl having a plurality of parallel longitudinal slots forrnedalong substantially the entire length o f the walls thereof,saidrod flexing inwardly as circumferential pressure is applied therearound; means onA said rod for attaching the hair thereto to hold the same under predetermined tension during the application of.' hairconditioning fluid;V and a removable absorbent filler mounted within said rod to absorb fluid applied'to hair which` is in excess of thatl absorbed by said hair.

9. A permanent hair waving device which comprises: a uniformly apertured transversely yieldable hollow rod having at least three longitudinal slots formed in the walls of said rod; holding means mounted near one end of said rod and adapted to engage the same near the other end thereof to hold the hair thereon; and a removable absorbent fller inserted in said rod to absorb fluid applied' to said hair which is not absorbed by said hair.

10. Adevice of the character described for use in permanent waving hair which includes: a transversely yieldable rod having a reversed taper, said rod adapted to have strands of hair woundV thereon and lprovided with` a plurality of longitudinal slots in the wall thereof whereby said rodyields inwardly as said strands of hair are wound thereon; holding means mounted on said rod and adapted to engage the same to hold the hair thereon; and -a removable absorbent fller inserted in said rod to absorb fluid applied to said hair which is not absorbed by said hair.

ll. A device of the characterdescribed for use in permanent waving hair which includes: a transversely yieldable apertured tubular rod having a reverse taper and adapted to have strands of hair wound thereon, said rod yielding inwardly as the strands of hair are wound thereon; holding means mounted on said rod and adapted to engage the same to hold the hair thereon; and a cylindrical removable absorbent filler having a diameter substantially the same as the smallest inner diameter of the reverse tapered rod whereby said absorbent filler is fixed relative to said rod While being removable therefrom, said filler absorbing excess fluid applied to said hair.

12'. A method of permanently waving hair which cornprises: winding a plurality of tresses of hair around a hollow inwardly yieldable apertured tube, said tube yie1ding in conformance with circumferential pressure placed thereon and containing an initially dry absorbent ller therein; winding said tresses around said yieldable tube thereby maintaining said tresses under resilient predetermined tension; applying a hair-conditioning solution to said tresses; and absorbing `any excess of said applied hairconditioning solution by communication of excess solution with said absorbent ller through said apertures.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,125 Seward Oct. 31, 1933 Shelton Feb. 13, 1934 Kassover June 27, 1939 Whyte June 28, 1949 FOREiGN PATENTS Netherlands June 15, 1949 Norway Dec. 20, ,'1948 Norway Dec. 27, 1948 Germany June 4, 1951 France Feb. 23, 1948 

